The Hindu : New Delhi News : Delhi University seeks 600 crore for expansion

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Delhi University seeks 600 crore for expansion

Parul Sharma

In the wake of implementation of the OBC quota

Rs.600 crore will be in terms of per capita expenditure
‘UGC will give the money when the Ministry releases the funds’

NEW DELHI: Delhi University has sought a grant of Rs.600 crore for infrastructure expansion in its affiliated colleges in the wake of the implementation of the 27 per cent quota for students from the Other Backward Classes over the next three years.

This amount has been proposed to the University Grants Commission by Delhi University for its under-graduate courses, said Vice-Chancellor Deepak Pental at the sidelines of a function here on Saturday.

“Rs.600 crore will be in terms of per capita expenditure. Another Rs.200 crore has been sought for post-graduate courses,” Prof. Pental said, adding that they are expecting some part of the grant to come by August this year.

“The UGC has an encouraging disposition. It will give the money when the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development releases the funds. I believe the funds will start flowing soon. Only then can the University have a say in how the colleges will utilise funds,” the Vice-Chancellor said.

“We have to stop talking whether quota should be done or not and get on with our jobs, teach the students well and create new infrastructure that would last long. We will be supporting students from backward classes who have faced many hurdles. Also, at the same time the Government is giving a lot of money for infrastructure and building classrooms that can be used for the next 100 years,” Prof. Pental noted.

As per the directions of the Union Ministry, Delhi University had decided to increase the total number of seats by 18 per cent in each course to accommodate 9 per cent OBC candidates from the 2008-09 academic year 2008-2009.

Earlier, Prof. Pental had said that this year the University had taken the 18 per cent increase in its stride but 2009 could be a problem year.

“The year 2009 will be the crunch year. If we do not get funds now and start expanding and increasing our lab facilities from this year, it will be a problem in the next session,” he had said.

On the issue of providing accommodation for the increasing number of students, he said some money from the grant could be earmarked for a new hostel for boys.

About a hostel for the students exclusively from the North-East, the Vice-Chancellor said RITES had been awarded the project and the construction should begin this July.

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